Sven says: I'm listening

Sven-Goran Eriksson admitted for the first time last night that he could be lured away from his post as England coach by an offer from Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.

Eriksson revealed he will open new contract talks with his employers at the Football Association next month.

But he said he would have to consider any other offers he might receive and even expressed some doubt as to whether he would see out his current deal, which runs until 2006.

The Swede made an appearance before the Cambridge Union, the university's debating society, and answered a question regarding a possible approach from Chelsea with far more candour than he has displayed in the past.

'That is something I would have to sit down and think about,' said Eriksson. 'If anyone made me a job offer I would have to consider it.

'I haven't had an offer from Chelsea. There is an offer to stay with the FA, which I will discuss in February.'

Eriksson was initially reluctant to rush into new contract negotiations but news that he will sit down with the FA hierarchy in the next few weeks is an encouraging sign for the governing body.

What would have sparked some anxiety, however, was his response to the idea of leading the England team out at the new Wembley Stadium.

'I would love to do that,' he said. ' But I don't know whether I will still be England coach in 2006.'

It was only on Tuesday that Eriksson's assistant, Tord Grip, insisted that the two of them would still be in charge of the national team at the start of the World Cup qualifying campaign in September.

Grip said Eriksson was enjoying the job more than ever. The Swede's assistant added that he would not have attended the World Cup fixtures meeting in Cardiff had it not been his intention to be involved in the games.

When asked if he and Eriksson planned to continue beyond the European Championship Finals, Grip said: 'Yes, definitely. Anything can happen in football, but we are planning for Euro 2004 and for the next World Cup. I'm here for this meeting and I am looking forward to playing in these games. 'Sven is enjoying the job more now than he has ever done before. He loves the fact that 65,000 turn out for a friendly at home to Denmark and I'm certain he wants to continue.'

From Eriksson, though, came a rather different message last night. He might have said something similar to Grip when challenged on the issue at the Euro 2004 draw last month, but the coach who was close to joining Manchester United in the summer of 2002 and was photographed meeting with Abramovich last summer is clearly keeping his options open. Flanked by FA executive director David Davies last night, Eriksson was grilled by the students for an hour and 15 minutes.

During that time the picture of him entering Abramovich's London home for tea was raised, but on that occasion Eriksson reverted to his familiar, inscrutable self. 'Yes, Russian tea certainly tastes good,' he said, smiling.

Eriksson also admitted that, after England, the country he would most like to coach would be world champions Brazil.